One year ago, on October 3 to be exact, I wrote my inaugural post for A Potted Life! It’s hard to believe that an entire 365+ days have gone by since that first leap I took into writing a plant care blog. What an adventure it has been!
Since starting my blog, I’ve gathered a significant number of plants into my home (and have written about most of them). Bird of Paradise, Fiddle Leaf Fig, Triocolor Stromanthe, Aloe, Monstera Deliciosa… just to name a few. Today, instead of writing about plant care tips, I’m sharing a few of my favorite posts with all of you!
Halloween DIY: Spooky Succulent Planters One of my few, and also favorite, DIY projects on the blog, this post was all about sprucing up your plants with a Halloween-themed planter! With materials you can find at the local dollar store, this project was budget-friendly while also producing some seriously cute results.
Botany 101: An Introduction to Botanical Science What better way to start your plant care journey than by reading up on botanical sciences! From one of my all-time favorite classes, I learned about the classifications of plants, their unique cellular makeup and reproductive patterns, and how important they are to the ecosystem and our planet.
Monstera Deliciosa: The Lush Floor Plant with Iconic Leaves What can I say… my monstera plant has quickly become one of my favorites. (And not just because it seems to thrive without a lot of attention.) I have loved these plants from afar for many years, and finally brought one into my home. I love watching new leaves uncurl and how each on is different from the last.
The Five Places You Can Buy Indoor Plants Nothing can be more troubling than not knowing the best places to purchase indoor plants. I remember wondering for a long time where I should go! This blog post delves into all the popular places you can buy plants, along with the pros and cons of each. I hope it helps you!
As always, I’m glad you’re here and share in my love of plants! If you have plant care questions or comments, I’m excited to hear them! Until then, keep enjoying my plant care blog.
Recently, I visited a local botanical garden to wander through the jungle-y foliage and breathe in the sweet air. (I also basically sweated through my dress, but that’s another story.) Aside from providing a tranquil respite from everyday life, botanical gardens can teach you a lot about plants. Here are some of their main benefits:
View an Ecosystem Up Close Botanical gardens are brimming with life, from fish-filled ponds and birds to butterflies and bees—all living harmoniously alongside the variety of plant species. This thriving imitation of naturally-occurring ecosystems is a wonder to behold and a perfect reminder of how important every plant, insect, and animal is in preserving the environment. Botanical gardens help ecological restoration efforts, too, with their vast amounts of knowledge and data to ensure the appropriate plants are grown in the proper environment.
Get to Know Your Native Plants If you’ve been curious about which plants grow best in your climate, your local botanical garden is a great place to research. These gardens always designate a portion of their land to native plant species. You’ll be able to view these plants up close so you can recognize them the next time you visit a garden center or nursery. Native plants are well-suited for feeding native animals and pollinators as well as create a healthy habitat for butterflies and other local insects. They’re almost always the best choice for gardens or landscaping.
Participate in Educational Classes Many botanical gardens provide learning opportunities through classes and workshops. These educational programs range from family-friendly activities and day camps, field trips and nature walks, and courses on botany, plant identification, propagation, gardening, native plants, and more. Generally free, or included in a membership, these activities are great ways to become more knowledgeable about plants and meet like-minded people.
Learn About Plant Conservation Botanical gardens exist for a greater purpose than providing visitors with pleasant experience. They also provide a base for education and research, preservation of endangered plants, ecological conservation, and stewardship of the environment. Botanical gardens play a large role in growing and preserving plants from around the world. This contributes the the diversity showcased in their gardens and the exotic plants available for purchase at a garden’s annual plant sale.
Have a Sensory Experience in Nature Best of all for visitors, botanical gardens provide a complete sensory experience with their diversity of plant and animal life. Visiting a garden is an ideal way to connect with nature while getting exercise walking the numerous trails. In addition to the abundance of beauty at botanical gardens, you’ll reap the health benefits of being outdoors, including an improved mood. You may just find yourself wanting to volunteer a few hours a week at your local garden!
Do you have a local botanical garden? Check out this list of gardens and arboretums by state if you’re not sure. If you’ve visited a local garden, I’d love to know about your experience!
Last week, I asked all of you over on my Instagram feed to comment about your most pressing plant care questions. I’ve had my fair share of plant care woes over the years (attempting to nurse above plant back to optimal health), so I can related to many of your concerns. A few general tips I think are helpful for myself and may benefit you, too, are:
Learn about each of your plants so you know the sunlight, water, and soil type they need as well as tips for fertilizing and propagating
Brush up on your knowledge of common pests and diseases now and then so you can take action at the first sign of trouble
Check on your plants often to look for signs of distress, such as curling or yellow leaves, in case you need to change up their care routine
Side Note: Let’s be friends! If you’re not already following me on social media, head over to Instagram and search for @apottedlifeblog! You’ll get a few more plant care tips and lots more photos throughout the week.
Now, on to your plant care questions!
“How can I keep my succulents from getting ‘leggy’?” Succulents need lots of sunlight each day (4-6 hours) to stay healthy and grow properly. While some succulents stretch out and become naturally ‘leggy’ as they grow, you can test whether yours is getting tall and lanky because it needs more sun. Are the stems of your succulent also weak (soft and bendy)? Is it losing its vibrant color? Most likely a ‘leggy’ succulent with these other characteristics isn’t getting adequate light. Try moving your plant to a window that receives at least a few hours of bright light each day or invest in a grow light if your home doesn’t get much natural light. You won’t be able to fix how your succulent looks (aside from propagating it), but you will ensure that it’s now happy and healthy!
“How much space should I give my plants in a raised bed garden?” Garden plants, such as bell pepper plants, that are large and grow big fruits should be planted about 11″ inches apart. These sun-loving plants prefer wide spacing that allows greater air flow to minimize moisture or shade on their leaves. This is especially important in warm, humid climates with fluctuating temperatures. Overcrowded pepper plants in these weather conditions are at risk for powdery mildew. This fungal disease spreads a white powder on the leaves and sends out spores that can quickly spread the disease to other plants. Treating this problem with baking soda may help restore your plant’s health. Be sure to properly space your plants in well-draining soil and water from the base to keep leaves dry. During peak growing season, bell peppers also prefer consistently moist soil, which you can encourage by adding a top layer of mulch.
“Why do my succulents get wrinkly?” Distressed leaves in succulents can generally be attributed to two things: overwatering or underwatering. There are subtle differences, so it’s important to know what to look for. Overwatering: if you’re giving your succulent too much water, the leaves may begin to wrinkle, but they’ll also appear mushy and transparent. Too much water will cause the leaves to blacken around the center of the plant and eventually fall off (they’ll easily fall if bumped, too). Set your succulent in a sunny window and let the soil dry out completely before watering again. Underwatering: if you’re giving your succulent too little water, the leaves will also wrinkle, but they’ll also start to shrivel and look deflated. Too little water will cause the leaves to dry up and brown from the base up, and the whole succulent will look wilted. Give your succulent a thorough watering and check the soil more frequently. With a little TLC, your succulent has a better chance of bouncing back!
“My Arizona plants are dead.” It can be difficult to effectively diagnose why a plant didn’t survive (learn more here). But in most cases, this is the result of a problems between the plant care, the climate, and the plant itself. Certain plants that thrive in hot, dry climates will have trouble growing in cold climates and vice versa. When purchasing outdoor plants, first research native plant species as these will be most suited to thrive in your particular climate. Then, learn about their sun and water requirements and if they need a certain type of soil. This will help you know where to put your plant and how often it needs your attention. If indoor plants are suffering, this is more often attributed to a water or sun issue as temperatures inside homes are more temperate and rarely fluctuate. Learning about your indoor plant can also ensure it has the proper conditions to grow and remain healthy!
Phew! I hope answering your questions has given you enough insight to make some slight alterations to your plant care routine. If you’re still having trouble, tell me in the comments!
